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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Revised product from the Medicare Learning Network (MLN)

Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Suite of Products & Resources for


Rural Health Providers, Educational Tool, ICN 908465, Downloadable.

MLN Matters Number: MM8871 Revised

Related Change Request (CR) #: CR 8871

Related CR Release Date: November 19, 2014

Effective Date: June 2, 2014

Related CR Transmittal #: R3127CP and


R177NCD

Implementation Date: January 5, 2015, for non-shared MAC


edits and CWF analysis; April 6, 2015, for remaining shared
system edits

Screening for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in Adults


Note: This article was revised on November 26, 2014, in order to (1) make editorial changes,
(2) add TOBs 71X & 77X and clarify payment methodology, (3) add POS 50, 72 & 81, (4)
clarify MAC claims processing prior to January 1, 2015, (5) clarify remittance codes, and (6)
revise implementation information. All other information remains the same.
Provider Types Affected
This MLN Matters Article is intended for physicians, other providers, and suppliers
submitting claims to Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) for Hepatitis C Virus
(HCV) screening services provided to Medicare beneficiaries.
What You Need to Know
Change Request (CR) 8871 states, effective June 2, 2014, the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS) will cover screening for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) consistent with
the grade B recommendations by the United States Preventive Services Task Force
(USPSTF) for the prevention or early detection of an illness or disability and is appropriate
Disclaimer

This article was prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This article may contain references or links to
statutes, regulations, or other policy materials. The information provided is only intended to be a general summary. It is not intended to take the place of
either the written law or regulations. We encourage readers to review the specific statutes, regulations and other interpretive materials for a full and
accurate statement of their contents. CPT only copyright 2013 American Medical Association.

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MLN Matters Number: MM8871

Related Change Request Number: 8871

for individuals entitled to benefits under Medicare Part A or enrolled under Part B. Make
sure your billing staffs are aware of these changes.
Background
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is an infection that attacks the liver and is a major cause of chronic
liver disease. Inflammation over long periods of time (usually decades) can cause scarring,
called cirrhosis. A cirrhotic liver fails to perform the normal functions of the liver which leads
to liver failure. Cirrhotic livers are more prone to become cancerous and liver failure leads to
serious complications, even death. HCV is reported to be the leading cause of chronic
hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, and a primary indication for liver transplant in the
Western World.
Prior to June 2, 2014, CMS did not cover screening for HCV in adults. Pursuant to
1861(ddd) of the Social Security Act, CMS may add coverage of additional preventive
services through the National Coverage Determination (NCD) process.
Effective June 2, 2014, CMS will cover screening for HCV with the appropriate U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) approved/cleared laboratory tests (used consistently with
FDA-approved labeling and in compliance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act
(CLIA) regulations) and point-of-care tests (such as rapid anti-body tests that are performed in
outpatient clinics and physician offices) when ordered by the beneficiarys primary care
physician or practitioner within the context of a primary care setting, and performed by an
eligible Medicare provider for these services, for beneficiaries who meet either of the
following conditions:
1. adults at high risk for HCV infection. High risk is defined as persons with a current or
past history of illicit injection drug use, and persons who have a history of receiving a
blood transfusion prior to 1992. Repeat screening for high risk persons is covered annually
only for persons who have had continued illicit injection drug use since the prior negative
screening test.
2. adults who do not meet the high risk definition as defined above, but who were born from
1945 through 1965. A single, once-in-a-lifetime screening test is covered for these
individuals.
The determination of high risk for HCV is identified by the primary care physician or
practitioner who assesses the patients history, which is part of any complete medical history,
typically part of an annual wellness visit and considered in the development of a
comprehensive prevention plan. The medical record should be a reflection of the
service provided.

Disclaimer
This article was prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This article may contain references or links to statutes,
regulations, or other policy materials. The information provided is only intended to be a general summary. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law
or regulations. We encourage readers to review the specific statutes, regulations and other interpretive materials for a full and accurate statement of their contents.
CPT only copyright 2013 American Medical Association.

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MLN Matters Number: MM8871

Related Change Request Number: 8871

General Claims Processing Requirements for Claims with Dates of Service on and
After June 2, 2014:
1. New HCPCS G0472, short descriptor - Hep C screen high risk/other and long descriptorHepatitis C antibody screening for individual at high risk and other covered indication(s),
will be used. HCPCS G0472 will appear in the January 2015 recurring updates of the
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Data Base (MPFSDB) and the Integrated Outpatient
Code Editor (IOCE) with a June 2, 2014 effective date. Contractors shall apply contractor
pricing to claims with dates of service June 2, 2014, through December 31, 2014, that
contain HCPCS G0472.
2. Beneficiary coinsurance and deductibles do not apply to HCPCS G0472.
3. For services provided to beneficiaries born between the years 1945 and 1965 who are not
considered high risk, HCV screening is limited to once per lifetime, claims shall be
submitted with:
HCPCS G0472
4. For those determined to be high-risk initially, claims must be submitted with:
HCPCS G0472; and
ICD-9 diagnosis code V69.8, other problems related to life style/ICD-10
diagnosis code Z72.89, other problems related to lifestyle (once ICD-10 is
implemented)
5. Screening may occur on an annual basis if appropriate, as defined in the policy. Claims
for adults at high risk who have had continued illicit injection drug use since the prior
negative screening shall be submitted with:
HCPCS G0472;
ICD diagnosis code V69.8/Z72.89; and
ICD diagnosis code 304.91, unspecified drug dependence, continuous/F19.20,
other psychoactive substance abuse, uncomplicated (once ICD-10 is
implemented).
NOTE: Annual is defined as 11 full months must pass following the month of the last
negative HCV screening.
Institutional Billing Requirements
Effective for claims with dates of service on and after June 2, 2014, institutional providers
may use types of bill (TOB) 13X, 71X, 77X, and 85X when submitting claims for HCV
screening, HCPCS G0472. Medicare will deny G0472 service line-items on other TOBs
using the following messages:
Claim Adjustment Reason Code (CARC) 170 -Payment denied when performed/billed
by this type of provider. Note: Refer to the 835 Healthcare Policy Identification Segment
(loop 2110 Service Payment Information REF), if present.

Disclaimer
This article was prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This article may contain references or links to statutes,
regulations, or other policy materials. The information provided is only intended to be a general summary. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law
or regulations. We encourage readers to review the specific statutes, regulations and other interpretive materials for a full and accurate statement of their contents.
CPT only copyright 2013 American Medical Association.

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MLN Matters Number: MM8871

Related Change Request Number: 8871

Remittance Advice Remarks Code (RARC) N95 - This provider type/provider specialty
may not bill this service.
Group Code CO (contractual obligation) If claim received without a GZ modifier.
The service is paid on the following basis:
Outpatient hospitals TOB 13X - based on Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).
Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) - TOB 71X - and Federally Qualified Health Centers
(FQHCs) - 77X - technical component paid based on the MPFS. For RHCs and FQHCs
that are authorized to bill under the reasonable cost system, payment for the professional
component is included in the RHC/FQHC all-inclusive rate (AIR). HCV screening is not
a stand-alone payable visit for RHCs and FQHCs.
Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) - TOB 85X based on reasonable cost; and
CAH Method II TOB 85X - based on 115% of the lesser of the MPFS amount or

actual charge as applicable with revenue codes 096X, 097X, or 098X.

Note: Separate guidance shall be issued for FQHCs that are authorized to bill under the
prospective payment system.

Professional Billing Requirements


For professional claims with dates of service on or after June 2, 2014, CMS will allow
coverage for HCPCS G0472, only when services are submitted by the following provider
specialties found on the providers enrollment record:
01 - General Practice

08 - Family Practice

11 - Internal Medicine

16 - Obstetrics/Gynecology

37 - Pediatric Medicine

38 - Geriatric Medicine

42 - Certified Nurse Midwife

50 - Nurse Practitioner

89 - Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist

97 - Physician Assistant

Medicare will deny claims submitted for these services by providers other than the specialty
types noted above. When denying such claims, Medicare will use the following messages:
CARC 184 - The prescribing/ordering provider is not eligible to prescribe/order the
service. NOTE: Refer to the 835 Healthcare Policy Identification Segment (loop
2110 Service Payment Information REF), if present.
Disclaimer
This article was prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This article may contain references or links to statutes,
regulations, or other policy materials. The information provided is only intended to be a general summary. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law
or regulations. We encourage readers to review the specific statutes, regulations and other interpretive materials for a full and accurate statement of their contents.
CPT only copyright 2013 American Medical Association.

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MLN Matters Number: MM8871

Related Change Request Number: 8871

RARC N574 - Our records indicate the ordering/referring provider is of a


type/specialty that cannot order/refer. Please verify that the claim ordering/referring
information is accurate or contact the ordering/referring provider.
Group Code CO if claim received without GZ modifier.
For professional claims with dates of service on or after June 2, 2014, CMS will allow
coverage for HCV screening, HCPCS G0472, only when submitted with one of the
following place of service (POS) codes:
11 - Physicians Office

22 - Outpatient Hospital

49 - Independent Clinic

50 - FQHC

71 - State or Local Public Health Clinic

72 - RHC

81 - Independent Laboratory

Medicare will deny claims submitted without one of the POS codes noted above with the
following messages:
CARC 171 - Payment denied when performed by this type of provider in this type of
facility. Note: Refer to the 835 Healthcare Policy Identification Segment (loop 2110
Service Payment Information REF), if present.
RARC N428 - Not covered when performed in this place of service.
Group Code CO if claim received without GZ modifier.
Other Billing Information for Both Professional and Institutional Claims
On both institutional and professional claims, Medicare will deny claims line-items for
HCPCS G0472 with dates of service on or after June 2, 2014, where it is reported more than
once-in-a-lifetime for beneficiaries born from 1945 through 1965 and who are not high risk.
Medicare will also line-item deny when more than one HCV screening is billed for the same
high-risk beneficiary prior to their annual eligibility criteria being met. In denying these
claims, Medicare will use:
CARC 119 - Benefit maximum for this time period or occurrence has been reached.
RARC N386 - This decision was based on a National Coverage Determination (NCD).
An NCD provides a coverage determination as to whether a particular item or service is
covered. A copy of this policy is available at www.cms.gov/mcd/search.asp on the
CMS website. If you do not have web access, you may contact the contractor to request
a copy of the NCD.
Group Code - CO if claim received without GZ modifier.
When applying the annual frequency limitation, MACs will allow both a claim for a
professional service and a claim for a facility fee.
Disclaimer
This article was prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This article may contain references or links to statutes,
regulations, or other policy materials. The information provided is only intended to be a general summary. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law
or regulations. We encourage readers to review the specific statutes, regulations and other interpretive materials for a full and accurate statement of their contents.
CPT only copyright 2013 American Medical Association.

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MLN Matters Number: MM8871

Related Change Request Number: 8871

In addition, remember that the initial HCV screening for beneficiaries at high risk must also
contain ICD-9 diagnosis code V69.8 (ICD-10 code Z72.89 once ICD-10 is implemented).
Then, for the subsequent annual screenings for high risk beneficiaries, you must include
ICD-9 code V69.8 and 304.91 (ICD-10 of Z72.89 and F19.20 once ICD-10 is
implemented). Failure to include the diagnosis code(s) for high risk beneficiaries will result
in denial of the line item. In denying these payments, Medicare will use the following:
CARC 119 - Benefit maximum for this time period or occurrence has been reached. (for
initial high risk screening), or,
CARC 167 - This (these) diagnosis(es) is (are) not covered. Note: Refer to the 835
Healthcare Policy Identification Segment (loop 2110 Service Payment Information
REF), if present. (for subsequent annual high risk screening)
RARC N386 - This decision was based on a National Coverage Determination (NCD).
An NCD provides a coverage determination as to whether a particular item or service is
covered. A copy of this policy is available at www.cms.gov/mcd/search.asp on the
CMS website. If you do not have web access, you may contact the contractor to request
a copy of the NCD.
Group Code CO if claim received without GZ modifier.
Additional Information
The official instruction, CR8871, was issued to your MAC regarding this change via two
transmittals. The first transmittal updates the "Medicare Claims Processing Manual" and it is
available at http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and
Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/Downloads/R3127CP.pdf on the CMS website. The
second transmittal updates the NCD Manual and it is available at
http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and
Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/Downloads/R177NCD.pdf on the CMS website.
If you have any questions, please contact your MAC at their toll-free number. That number
is available at http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Net
work-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/index.html under - How Does It Work.

Disclaimer
This article was prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This article may contain references or links to statutes,
regulations, or other policy materials. The information provided is only intended to be a general summary. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law
or regulations. We encourage readers to review the specific statutes, regulations and other interpretive materials for a full and accurate statement of their contents.
CPT only copyright 2013 American Medical Association.

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